glocksuke | Jingle Mingle...2

Jingle Mingle...2

Some of you may be used to this by now. For some of you, this may be your very first time being swept away in a flurry of snowflakes. (Though some of you may have been particularly naughty and were shoved into a burlap sack before disappearing into the storm.) As usual, it seems as though the time for bloodshed has passed and when you open your eyes you're greeted with...

...a ski lodge.

Worry not! This isn't the lodge Krampus had taken residence in but it's a rather large and cozy getaway. You may even find that your clothes have changed into something holiday-appropriate for the occasion. It seems as though someone has gone around decking the halls with boughs of holly, lights strewn along the walls, Christmas trees in large corners, and plenty of food and drink to go around. (Yes, this includes alcohol. Please do try to be responsible though, hm?)

Similarly, some of you may recognize the frosty patterns that lightly dust the walls and surfaces and the usual staff and their assistants are back in action. Should you require anything, you may ask one of them and they'll be at your service!

The lodge has plenty of rooms filled with furniture, fireplaces, games and more. And for those of you feeling a little more adventurous, you may venture outdoors. To the left there's a sprawling garden with gazebos, firepits, flowers and lit topiary displays. To the right, you may follow the path down to a hot spring. And straight ahead? There's the path leading you right to a rental shack holding skis, snowboards and snow mobiles.

This almost seems...quaint, doesn't it? And perhaps it's a little too easy, but you should know by now everything comes with a price.

Sprigs of mistletoe are pinned up in every doorway once again, bright red bows and dustings of frost lingering around them. Don't try to escape to the outdoors to avoid it! Ice sculptures appear in every direction each decorated with the mystical plant. You could try to avoid it, really, but avoiding it too long will earn a chilly breath of air directly in your ear as you're pushed straight into the nearest person. Wouldn't you rather choose on your own?

Well! The choice is yours, and you might want to make it fast. There's no way out without paying the kiss tax, after all.

[ooc: it's mgcu time! this mingle is open to characters from the following:

reapsody,

grimmoired,

plasmatio,

subdivided,

thotordie,

bluesclues,

tropicalgetaway,

notagain,

redactable,

snowend,

7rings,

seasonality, and

chasma!

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[And here comes Sholmes, placing a hand on Kotetsu's shoulder. Also, he's slipping a candy cane into Nero's pocket, just because.]

My dear Nero, why don't you get some hot chocolate? I'll join you a little later. [And to Kotetsu:] Ah, let's take a breather, shall we?

[Sweet escape.

He skitters off to mope somewhere else.]

[And much, much later, here's Sholmes, slipping another candy cane into his pocket. His collection.]

So? Did you try the hot chocolate?

I know you're sneakin' those on me.

[He's considerably calmer now, and settled outside.

Disce's curled up next to him and a mug of something.]

I liked the cider a little more.

Who? Me?

[He is innocent???]

[Irene hops up to flop next to Disce. She's supportive!]

Ah, yes, the cider is good. But the hot chocolate has the option of those fun little marshmallows! So quite hard to choose between the two of them, I do think.

I know what pickpocketin' feels like.

[Disce shuffles closer to Irene. Friend!]

Warm's good for this time of year, I guess? [He likes the cool year round, personally.] The marshmallows are pretty cute. Might make 'em for the kids back home.

Ehehe. [A wink.] So do I.

[don't just ADMIT to CRIMES and LARCENY]

[Irene rubs her head against Disce gently.]

Oh, you can make them?

[CRIMES are FUN.

A soft purr from Disce.]

You can make anythin' as long as you got the ingredients for it.

Spoken like a true master of the cooking craft.

[A light hum.]

...Are you feeling better, my dear fellow?

I'm fine.

He's not.

[This absolute traitor of a cat. She resumes purring and Nero sighs.]

's just... a lot to deal with at once.

Of course it is. First, showing up here, and then...well.

[Seeing his husband?? He recognized Bradley, for sure.]

Has the man tried to approach you again?

[He sighs deeply, and shakes his head.]

Nah. He knows when I don't wanna deal with him right now.

[Being close for centuries means they do understand some things about each other.]

[When he feels that hand on his shoulder, he tenses up a little. He didn't expect Sholmes to randomly pop up, but it seemed fitting. Even after he realizes who it is, he doesn't really ease up.]

[And then he watches Nero skitter off like that and just looks up at the sky with a sigh.]

Yeah, I was about leave him alone anyway. You should make sure to talk to him at some point. I obviously failed that part.

Edited 2021-12-14 05:11 (UTC)

Come now. Do you know how many times I've failed to talk with that man? More than I can count. Chin up, man.

[And a peck on the cheek.]

The man's going through some things. Let him be by himself for a while, and we'll reassess, alright? This is simply how he is. Its no reflection of a failure on your part.

I've tried countless times, too.

[He shakes his head and looks at Sholmes. The smile he offers is strained, at best.]

You two are just better suited at get along. Can't be some kind of hero to everyone, right? I don't want him hurting and alone is all.

...So, can you make sure to take care of him after he's had time to cool off?

...

[reaches out]

[and shakes him by the shoulders a little]

Oh, this conversation goes the wrong way and you're ready to throw in the towel? Kotetsu! Your ability to be a fool astounds me, sometimes! I'll talk to him, sure, but I hardly want you to simply write it off as a failure!

[SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE]

You're a great hero, and you're a good friend, and do stop with this self slander, alright?

[One hand reaches up to pat Sholmes on the cheek very lightly. It's affectionate, but it doesn't last.]

You're bias. I do appreciate your faith, but... [Hm. How to put it.] I don't want to end up damaging something and have you paying for it as a result, too.

[It wouldn't be the first time something he did something to cause that. It probably won't be the last.]

I'm not trying to talk bad about myself here, either.

Kotetsu.

[Just. Staring.]

The man tried to whack me multiple times with a giant steel pan and we still became friends. I hardly think this will set anything back, truly.

Sholmes. It's not me he's going to be needing to talk to after this.

[When two stubborn idiots start digging in their heels, huh.]

[At this point, Finley lightly butts her head against Sholmes's leg. Not actually saying anything, though.]

So? If I talk to him, does that immediately mean you'll never talk to the man again?

[Patting his cheek. Irene at his side also gives a huff, hopping up to place a paw on Kotetsu's foot.]

He does have a point. No point in setting fire to the bridge prematurely just because the man happens to be holding a torch on the other side.

No, but it's...

[He glances down at Irene and drops his head to Sholmes's shoulder.]

He's afraid of hurting you both. You and Nero. It's not like his guilt over everything that happened magically disappeared because it wasn't talked about.

[Thanks, Finley. But Kotetsu shakes his head, pulling back.]

[And he motions around them here. At the snow and festivities and good cheer.]

We can worry about all of that later. Now isn't really the time to be dragging down the mood.

[Irene's nose twitches, looking back at Sholmes.]

She has a point.

[Sometimes you just have to agree with your girlfriend.]

[As soon as Kotetsu moves back, Sholmes moves forward, gently embracing the man.]

Now, now. No matter where, or when we show up, then I'll be there for you, alright? We'll talk about it all. I promise you that. Don't go burying it away on account of not wanting to get in the way of others.

[Finley moves to nuzzle Irene gently. Ladies know best.]

[Well, he's not about to pull further away from Sholmes. He's made that mistake before at trial and puts his arms around him in return.]

Yeah... Yeah.

[His voice is quiet as he rests his head against Sholmes's shoulder, falling a bit quiet.]

[As Finley settles down on the ground next to Irene, she speaks up, her voice a little tired.]

It's probably for the best you take care of this for now, Sholmes. I'm not saying immediately. Since he doesn't actually want you to leave him right now. But now isn't the time for him to be trying to patch things up, either.

Maybe after you two talk things through properly.

Ah, Miss Finley, but of course.

[He's stroking through the other man's hair, gently. Irene is just going to lean against her girlfriend, now.]

There's some quieter parts of the mansion that I've spied with my little eye, my dear. Let's go spend some time in one of them, shall we?

[In return to that, his arms tighten just a little bit.]

If you want. Otherwise- [He frowns. Betrayed by his own soul about not wanting to be alone.] ...Yeah, it might be nice to find somewhere quiet for a little while.

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